A
Anonymous
Guest
Anybody know what month the sun normal comes out, to take the top down? I seen a flicker of sun on the weekend and got over excited and took the hardtop off only for it to rain 30mins later 
Store the hardtop and use the hood for what it was intended!!
I was nearly suckered in by the weekend and Mondays sunny days, but today's 10c drop in temp., storm and rain, means it 's staying on a week or 2 longer.
That's why I couldn't live with a hardtop - I like the freedom to get my top down at any opportunity. Even if it's just for a 30min drive, it's worth it IMO.
I've managed through this winter fine with the fabric roof, doesn't need anything more (apart from the hardtop gives different looks).
I've managed through this winter fine with the fabric roof, doesn't need anything more (apart from the hardtop gives different looks).
a11y said:
ally - I actually have a DIY electric hoist in the garage roof, with remote control. I can have the hardtop off and in the roof in under 3 mins. should the desire to go topless be there. It would be a pain if I had to wait for assistance and/or lift it off each time I wanted.
An electric hoist :!:
Is it operated by your butler?
Is it operated by your butler?
hotdog3147
Member
Mine came off yesterday evening, managed 1 hour before it decided to rain. First time I've driven it with the top down since getting it. LOVED IT!!!! Hard top is not going back on for a long time now.
Nothing so helpful. Just a £40 Aldi hoist in the rafters that drops through the ceiling and a DIY cradle. Lift capacity is 250kg and remote hangs from the garage roof.
Tried removing it on my own once and Mrs CJ is always somewhere else when needed...
Tried removing it on my own once and Mrs CJ is always somewhere else when needed...
Ok, who told you guys that I've finally got a hardtop and I'm getting it resprayed this week... 
Hey Jeeper- got any pics of the DIY cradle?
Hey Jeeper- got any pics of the DIY cradle?
I had a hard top on my Z3M roadster while I owned it and I remember trying to play long range weather forecaster every spring when I tried to decide when to take it off. I sucked at it! I could make it rain for 40 days 40 and nights by taking the top off. When I bought the Z4 I was so much more impressed with the quality of the convertible top that I passed on ordering the hard top option again. Now, I'm ready for any change in the weather at the push of a button.
Herminator - write up from when I made it:
http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=2883&p=41586&hilit=Aldi#p41586
http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=2883&p=41586&hilit=Aldi#p41586
cj10jeeper said:
Thanks, didn't realise there was a thread on it. The strapping looks simpler than I thought it would, even I may be able to knock something up (although I'll leave installation to a qualified electrician, aka. "Dad" )
Even found pretty much the same hoist (just rebadged) for £55, although other places are selling it for much more. I won't be able to hide it like you did though, above the garage is my bedroom and I don't fancy tripping over a hoist :|
Herminator said:
Sure - it was just one of those things where Aldi were selling them and I could see an hour or so's work could create this. The frame under the hood could as easily be substituted for a flat lifting strap and the one to the rear of the glass is a spare cycle carrier tie down strap, that stabilises the hood.
